Don Bacigalupi, the recent new director of Alice Walton’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, is one of more than 11 new hires at the museum, located in Bentonville, Ark.

“We have added 11 new positions in 2009, making our current number 36,” said Rhonda Houser, the museum’s human resources manager. “We expect to double in size in 2010, and ultimately plan to have a staff of about 100 in place.”

Museum founder Alice Walton said Bacigalupi, 49, who has led the Toledo Museum of Art since 2003, was “the ideal person for the job.”

“The depth of his experience in managing a museum, his scholarship in American art, and his commitment to arts education are a perfect fit with our mission and will ensure the success of Crystal Bridges,” Alice Walton, who founded the museum four years ago, said in a news release.

The 100,000-square-foot facility expects to open in 2010.

Alice Walton (left) at the Crystal Bridges Museum of Amerinca Art construction site. Image courtesy Crystal Bridges.

“The opportunity to lead and help launch a major new art museum is thrilling,” said Bacigalupi. Crystal Bridges is distinguished among museums worldwide in offering an outstanding collection of American art in a beautiful natural setting. For me, the museum’s vision for offering meaningful learning experiences and a dynamic mix of programming serving local, regional and national audiences is especially important.”

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is envisioned as a premier national art institution dedicated to American art and artists, learning and community gatherings, according to its Web site.

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